An epidemiological team from the Department of Health was in Negros Occidental yesterday to look into the dengue fever problem in the province, Provincial Health Officer Luisa Efren said.

The team went to Sagay, Victorias and Talisay cities, she said.

Epidemiology is the study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations. It identifies risk factors for disease and determines optimal treatment approaches.

Negros Occidental has had 14 deaths from dengue this year, while Bacolod City has had six.

Of the 14 deaths in the province four were in Hinobaan, two in Sagay and one each in Bago, Kabankalan, Cadiz, Pontevedra, Don Salvador Benedicto, Ilog, Valladolid and Talisay, Efren said.

The latest death in Hinobaan was that of a 4-month-old child who had been suffering from fever for four days before being brought to the hospital, Efren said. The child died the day after being hospitalized, she added.

In Negros Occidental 568 patients have been hit by dengue this year, while in Bacolod City the number has reached 451.

Efren also reiterated that tilapia fish are good deterrents against larvae of mosquitoes in ponds.

Tilapia is a larvivorous fish that eats up larva, she said.

Dengue is transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Efren has called on the public to remove all potential breeding places of mosquitoes to prevent the spread of dengue.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday passed a resolution urging the City Health Department of Bacolod City to immediately institute health mechanisms and launch a massive information drive against the spread of dengue in Bacolod City.

The resolution was proposed by Councilor Alex Paglumotan.

CHO head Dr. Edgardo Estrella said the campaign against dengue has become a year-long activity of the CHO.

The CHO continues to conduct information drives in the barangays and give out brochures about dengue, he said. Their campaign includes the elimination of breeding places of mosquitoes and educating people to clean up their surroundings, Estrella added.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia had earlier said that the campaign against dengue should not be entrusted solely to the CHO since it needs the cooperation of everybody.

Estrella also advised the public to seek immediate consultation for early treatment and intervention.*CPG/CGS

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